Prince George, BC – The U16 BC Provincial Alpine Ski Racing Championships begin today at Purden Ski Hill…

Approximately 125 downhill skiers from around the province began training at the hill yesterday for six days of racing, wrapping up on Saturday with the Slalom.

Sandra Gairns with the host Prince George Alpine Ski club says provincials typically last three or four days, with speed provincials held separately from technical provincials.  But she says, Purden is hosting both sets over the course of the next six days as an official test event of the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

Gairns is hopeful the weather will cooperate for the event.  "We had really perfect conditions on Saturday and a perfect run, but it snowed overnight (Saturday) and softened it up quite a bit, so it's not perfect, but it's still nice."

The PG Alpine Racers have three girls and three boys in the 14- and 15-year-old age category who will be competing this week.